PMA 2010: Hands-on with Nikon’s latest wide angle lenses

Nikon let a group of reporters loose on a set of newly released Coolpix cameras and wide angle Nikkor lenses on the eve of PMA 2010. We put the new Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 and 16-35mm f/4 to work coupled to a D3S. For the occasion, Nikon invited a group of Polynesian dancers to perform for a group of fully armed photographers. Take a look at our full-res samples from the event.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G EDUsing the 24mm f/1.4 with the Nikon D3s provided a wide picture angle of 84 degrees thanks to an FX format sensor. Nikon has touted the low light performance of the lens since its introduction, and in our brief hands-on session, it turned in some nice results in fading light. The contents of the bowl below look incredibly sharp. The whole system is quiet and quick to find focus.

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VRThe wide-to-wide 16-35mm f/4 contains Nikon’s VR II vibration reduction system, claiming a gain of up to four stops. Here’s a how that range looked on the D3S:

Wide angle

Telephoto

The lens offered a dramatic angle at the wide end with enough zoom to zero in on a particular subject. Moving closer to the rows of glasses made the image below possible.

There’s no definite conclusion to draw after just one round of shooting, but both lenses were so far very enjoyable to use. A look at these preliminary samples adds some support to Nikon’s claims that the two lenses will offer superb performance in fading light.